she had company with her. I am very nervous
and disturbed. What can we do?"

George spoke up and said: "Do not be distressed, mother. If the
carriage does not come in a few minutes, I will get Velox and ride
along the road to meet it and to be of help, if it is needed."

"Do so, my son, for this will help to relieve me of suspense," said his
mother.

They waited until it was quite dark, for the moon had not yet risen,
though it would show itself presently. Then George decided to go at
once. Hurrying to the barn, he saddled and bridled his noble horse and
instantly went along the road, his horse trotting rapidly.

About five miles down the road George met Mose coming in the phaeton,
but Viola was missing. Terribly anxious for the safety of his sister,
the white man asked the slave what had happened.

Mose was still somewhat dizzy from the blow he had received from the
monster dwarf and his fall on the root of the oak, but he told the
story as far as he knew, and added some particulars about himself.

He said he lay for a long time unconscious by the side of the country
road, but at last his senses came back to him. His head pained him very
much, and a great swelling was over his right eye. In the dim light he
saw the horses hitched under the tree.

He tried to rise from the ground, but found it impossible at first.
After making a number of attempts, he managed to get up on his feet and
went to the phaeton reeling like a drunken man. He untied the horses
and almost fell into the seat. He managed, however, to keep the horses
in the road and drove them as best he could till he met "Mas'r George."

George considered whether it were better for him to ride furiously
after the outlaws, or to return to the plantation with Mose. He chose
the latter course, and before a great while they came up the private
way to the mansion.

The Judge and his wife, and indeed the whole household, were anxiously
awaiting them. When the phaeton drove up and no Viola in it, Madam
LeMonde became hysterical and almost fainted. She screamed: "Where is
my daughter? Where is she? What has happened to her? Tell me quickly."

The Judge was compelled to quiet his wife before he could hear the
story of his daughter's abduction.

The group returned into the house. Entering the sitting-room they
discussed what was best to be done. The Judge requested his son George
to ride as fast as possible to the county seat, arouse the sheriff and
ask him to